North American Fall Rally Parking Team 2023

[Woodyswanch]

You knew it was going to happen. Just like the sun rises in the east, the spring follows the winter, and penguins taste like chicken, the inevitable is coming to Goshen. And I'm not talking about a bacon and avocado omelette at the Lux. We're talking about one of the most exclusive groups known to the mostly mid-northern central-eastern part of Indiana. Nothing comes close within hundreds of yards. If you're thinking of the MOC Rally 2023 Parking Team, you would be right on the money. (something I still haven't seen from last years participants but I can dream can't I)


And this year we have a special treat. Due to the fact that seven days is too few, and eight days still didn't cut it, we seem to have the vast majority of campers wanting to come in on the sixth. About three quarters last I heard. Good for us. And now for the treat. The WMs have arranged to get us ten camping sites in the 400 loop to allow early arrivals for parking volunteers. This means that those that will be available for parking duties on Wednesday can come and set up on Tuesday. You will have to pay the WMs cash money (30$, I think) for Tuesday night. You will also have to help out (a lot) on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday will be a breeze but until we can get more of our team on site we will be busy.


This is a one time good deal because we're only doing it once this year.


And now for something completely different. We're not using this thread for signups. There will be a link at the end of this post to click on for signing up. It is a new procedure that I haven't worked with yet. It may preclude my thanking those that sign up in an expeditious manner. Sorry about that. I'll see what I can do.



You can still ask questions on this thread, as far as I know. I will also post instructions, updates, and answers on this thread. Stand by for multiple cut and pastes.


As was done before, a few golf carts will be loaned to us from the WMs for parking duty. If you rent/have one you can use it and lower the per mile cost of it. Electric bikes also will help.


Please include in the notes portion of the sign up thingy your date of arrival and if AM or PM. I will allocate the first ten spots Tuesday based on time of sign up. I will also keep track of a standby list in case of cancellations. Naturally those coming in on Wednesday will have priority parking so we can put you to work.


Job descriptions and arrival instructions will be posted in a future post. So the post that will have the posted material will post separately.


Would the first or second person who uses the following link let me know if it works. I don't know if I did it right. I'm an analog guy in a digital age.
Funny though, center fire primers always work.





https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...rm?usp=sf_link

[sdlynch71]

I think I was able to sign up will be coming in on Tue the 6th

[JAWatsonJones]

The form works! Thanks Woody!

[Payrollpatty]

Registered Wayne Heflin to help with parking.
wp_heflin0319@yahoo,com

[NCFischers]

Woody,
I always enjoy reading your posts.

[RhondaM]

sent form, will this mean we won't have to move the morning of the 6th?

[Woodyswanch]

Great response four hours into the listing. Here goes some replies. Sorry about the group thing but I'm not sure how to do it otherwise with the new format.


Clark and Peggy-welcome back and nine on Wed is great, we'll have you set up before brunch and working before lunch.


Wayne H- the fifth would work but you have to commit so we can work out camping sites.


Ron and Rhonda- you didn't waste any time this year. The fifth it is. Rhonda, you and Carrie play nice with the sign in sheet. You shouldn't have to move.



Butch L- the fifth it is. Remember, I need my coffee in the morning (and afternoon and evening) If I'm not there you can park yourself.


Larry P- I won't be there until the afternoon of the fifth. Unless I get lucky and can come in the fourth. Not likely as it is the holiday. So you and Butch L may be parking each other.


Steve L- got you down for the fifth.


Butch J- you too on the fifth


Donald G- I'm not sure what two days early is. I need a day or date.


For those planning on arriving the fifth, Once I get the full ten volunteers. (me included) I will let you know more of what to expect. I'll have to give your names to the WMs for site assignment. The good news is is that it is almost impossible to screw up in the 400 loop. And I said "almost".



Looks like another awesome year.

[Woodyswanch]

I knew I would screw this up.


Lee C-Whenever you can make it on the sixth. The earlier you arrive the sooner you can help. Also it will be much less crowded in the AM.

[Woodyswanch]

One more time,


Larry M- I've got you down on the fifth also.

[Dgerber]

We will be there by the 6th, possibly the 5th. (update: we will be there on the fifth)

[Woodyswanch]

[QUOTE=Dgerber;1276377]We will be there by the 6th, possibly the 5th.[/QUOTE


Donald, coming in on the sixth is no problem. Howsomever, if you want to come in on the fifth you have to commit. I've only got ten sites for the night of the fifth. You won't be able to get in without one. If you want to come in on the sixth but later change your mind, there are other places to camp nearby on the fifth and you could come in early on the sixth. Doing the opposite and saying the fifth but coming in on the sixth would cost us a Parking Team member for early on the sixth. And the sixth is going to be very busy. ps Welcome back.

[Woodyswanch]

Maybe I better post this before the thread gets too busy. Cut and paste number one.


We do three different jobs on the "Parking Team". Waving, signing and escort services. All take a different skill set but the last one can really wear you out, especially at our ages.


Waving...
We will have one entrance at the rally that we prefer to use. There are more than one but the others can cause issues for the drivers. We like to post a person or preferably two or more at Gate number three. We should have an awning set up there and chairs. People at the gate will watch for Montys driving down East Monroe St (CR 34) both east and west bound. When they see one they will wave hysterically to get their attention so they will turn in the correct entrance. A word of caution, the west bound ones can really sneak up on you. The only exception to this is Charlie "Mr. Coffee". He seems to prefer Gate two and there's not a whole lot we can do about that. Thankfully he knows where he is going and will let you know that when you chase him down. Once the Montys turn into Gate Three, they will make a right turn into the parking lot.


Signing...
Once people turn into the parking lot we will have a "Parking Team" member greet the incomer and sign them in. We can answer some questions there and get them hooked up with their escort service.
Sometimes there may be multiple rigs waiting for escorts but usually the escorts can take care of business fairly quickly to help out another john, I mean rig. Unlike some escort services ours do not work at night. We believe in family time too.



Escort Service...
This is the where we need the most help. We will be sending out two escorts with each rig. Hopefully we can put a rooky with a seasoned pro. At least until everyone goes pro. The escorts will guide the rigs to their parking site and remain with the rig until they disconnect or at least swear they won't move the rig. Some times the escorts will be asked to park the rigs. Most of the time we just spot and make sure the rigs are in the correct position. Escorts can do whatever they are comfortable with.



This is very important. The spots will be marked by painted lines on the ground. The rigs when parked and slides open cannot infringe on their neighbors site. If a rig is misplaced they will be asked to reposition to make them selves legal. The record is two repositionings, this was not the fault of the rig driver. My apologies again for you having to move. Some of these sites are very tight. There is nothing we can do about this. We are using all of the full hook up, 50 amp sites in the campground. It's not our fault that the new rigs are soooo much bigger than what they used to be. The WMs will be loaning us 4 or 5 golf carts to assist with the escort duty. If you have rented a cart and want to get your moneys worth than bring it with you for "Parking Team" participation. It also gives you shade and a seat for the slow times. You can also use a bike if you want. Ask Larry M how many rigs you can park in a day before you say uncle. Lucky for him the temperature didn't hit 100 that day.


Escort teams will have a primary and secondary escort. The secondary is mainly a spotter. Please ask the driver how much assistance they need before you start. This is to help avoid confusion.



We will have traffic flow guidance for parking to prevent bottlenecks. It may not be the quickest way to the site but it keeps things running smooth and besides, I'm not paying for the gas.

I have heard there will be a majority of rigs coming in the sixth. We will need all the help we can get so the lines don't get too long in the parking lot. If you come in early on the sixth or seventh or eighth and no one is there to escort you, please be careful how you park. You cannot go by the dead grass on the sites. Different rallys park differently. Almost all of our parking is done at an angle. Always go by the paint.



We don't set any work hours for volunteers. Every one has things that need doing so I just ask that if you have some free time please come up to the parking lot to help out. It also seems that arrivals come in waves. We'll be slow for an hour and than all hell breaks loose. Most rigs come in the afternoon but we do get some in the morning. We also try to swap out jobs but some people like to do certain things and that's fine too. Just remember to share.



So go slap some cold water on your face to wake up and have a nice day. I'll be posting more later.

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by Dgerber

We will be there by the 6th, possibly the 5th. (update: we will be there on the fifth)

Got your update, thanks.

[Ram Montana High Country]

Just entered mine for the fifth - Tuesday

[Lee-CI]

Aw to heck with it all! This sounds like more fun than a barrel of monkeys! Spotting close to 150 rigs in one day - how hard can it be? No guts - no glory - Hooyah!

[Woodyswanch]

I think we might have reached our ten for Tuesday total. Please keep volunteering and I will see what I can do for more slots. If no more are available we will work on early arrivals on Wednesday. Thank you for your support. I will send out confirmations when I get it all sorted out.

[Woodyswanch]

Where did I leave off?


Jeff F- I might be cheap but I am easy, and I do like a fine bourbon. Evan not so fine. Thanks


Danny and Judy G- Three posts at once? It looks like the fifth won't be full.


Scott H- Thanks but we need a date. And not the kind where you buy me dinner.


Les S- Glad to see you coming again. Did you get a brisket? This year I know to get there earlier.

[Woodyswanch]

Jan R- How early is early?


Randy S- I'm working on it. You're real close to the cutoff. For now.


Danny G- I'm talking the bottle not the date.

[Woodyswanch]

Dennis R- Welcome to the team. We all had a first time. It's something you don't forget. What day are you coming in?

[Dratlief]

Arriving on first day Sept 6.